Kalig tilts her head to Brodert. "Thank you." She then nods at Veryl, agreeing they should visit Zantus before it gets too late.
You all make your way to the Sandpoint Cathedral. Despite being here for a while, you've not had much chance to look at the impressive building - also the largest in Sandpoint.
The Cathedral is not dedicated to the worship of a single deity. Rather, it gathers under its eaves the six most commonly worshiped deities in the region, providing chapels for all of these deities in a communal forum.
The core of the cathedral is an open-air courtyard surrounding a set of seven standing stones themselves surrounding a circular stone altar.
To the south, facing Sandpoint’s heart, are the shrines of civilization: Erastil and Abadar. To the west, offering a view of the Old Light and the sea beyond, are the shrines of Shelyn and Gozreh. And to the east, offering a view of the Sandpoint Boneyard and the rising sun, are the shrines of Sarenrae and Desna.
As you approach, Father Zantus rushes out to meet you. He seems flustered. "I was going to see the sheriff but as you're here, I think it prudent to tell you first. You see..." He looks around to check that he can't be overheard - but lowers his voice anyway.
"Father Tobyn's remains have been stolen. I've used several divination spells to determine that whoever took them, took them to Thistletop."
"A reunion between a long believed dead woman and the long buried remains of her father...I almost hate to intrude on her" Veryl's mocking words matched almost perfectly with the small lopsided smile his lips formed "In all seriousness though, could this theft be linked to the ritual she's planning? And do you have any idea how to ruin it for her?" Veryl's small barrage of questions where edged with a more stern tone, while his left hand naturally rested on the pommel of his sheathed sword as if it was the restful handle of a chair.
"Father Tobyn's remains are required for Nualia's ritual," Horatio mutters, half to Veryl, half to himself. First he doubts my methods, then he doesn't remember half the information. Wonderful. "Tsuto told us that - he said she was planning on using the remains, as well as the burnt ruins of Sandpoint, as a sacrifice to Lamashtu in a ritual to remove her 'Celestial taint' and replace it with her 'Mother's grace'." Horatio makes quotation symbols with his fingers as he repeats the key phrases. "Father," he says suddenly, "Lamashtu is known as the 'Mother of Monsters', isn't she? Do you suppose she could be seeking to become some manner of monstrous fiend herself?"
Kalig mutters a few curses in orcish before asking more intelligibly, "When were they stolen? And when was this discovered? If they got all the way to Thistletop by now, why weren't we told this when we were fapping about in the catacombs?"
"They were stolen during the raid. It was in the journal. And it seems we may have been the first to know." Horatio glances briefly at the ground, lifting one boot to check the sole as though he's stepped in something, but his sheepish expression can't quite be hidden.
The Father considers the questions coming his way. "You are the first to know and to be honest - with so much going on over the last few days, it simply wasn't noticed before."
"Typically sacrifices are more symbolic than anything else. And if that's what they were stolen for we may already be too late. If not, then simply stopping the ritual would do - nothing more elaborate is required."
"Rituals are invariably for a reason - but they vary of course. It could be to gain grace or to become some sort of demon. I'd need more evidence to be sure but it does sound as though the ritual is to change her form in some way."
"And...and...and you keep saying Nualia. But she died many years ago."
Kalig frowns, somewhat chagrined. "I had forgotten. The way it sounded in the journal, they had been stolen some time ago, that it was a thing people would have known of." She shrugs. "Perhaps we should just give the journal to Zantus, let him read it, to see where his knowledge meshes with what is revealed in the book." She looks at Zantus. "Nualia is the name of the woman Tsuto was doing his dirty work for. She operates, apparently, out of Thistletop. If it's the same woman you believed dead, she, if I am remembering the details correctly, is planning on desecrating her adoptive father's remains."
Miro looks around the building with a measure of respect. He's not pious himself, but understands the need for faith in certain people's lives and respects the multiple deities represented here.
When the priest runs up, Miro raises his brows in surprise. "Stolen?" He frowns. It is as we feared. "We need to nip this in the bud before the ritual is complete."
"Which means we need to get to thistletop quickly - assuming we're not already too late. Is there anything you can tell us about that area? Is it a settlement? Fortified? When was the last time anyone was there?"
The priest shakes his head. "I know of it but not so much about it. My advoce is to seek out Shalelu Andosana - most likely at the town hall or the Rusty Dragon. If anyone can tell you about it's strengths or weaknesses it's her."
Frustration and anger ran rampant through the usually composed swordsman, his half-orc companion had put it best; they were wasting time. Nualia had gone under their noses while they went about searching the catacombs like they had all the time of the world. The only sign of level of negativity his mood has reached was the sight of him rubbing his forehead with his right hand "For some reason I feel that resting tonight is going to be hard...Lets find Shalelu, the faster we do that the faster we'll get time for ourselves, because I desperately need to swing my sword right now and it doesn't have to be at anything in particular" Veryl turned and headed straight for the exit, his hurried and rather loud footsteps echoed through the room.
The walk through the streets of Sandpoint was not as relaxing as it had been before, but that was not because of the people, the condition of the streets or the weather. The reason behind this absence of peace was Veryl's own anger; at himself, at Nualia and at the wasted time within those catacombs...it took everyone ounce of self control for Veryl to keep the mask of anger and frustration from latching on to his face. His thoughts reached for grim and dark prospects, searched for plans that would lead his enemies to painful ends and visions of these plans in motion clouded his eyes...so much that he almost didn't notice the metal dragon that hung over his new...temporary home. Veryl looked into the eyes of the rusted, lifeless dragon and for some reason felt that thing was mocking him. It was then that his right hand reached for his forehead once more and began rubbing away at it in an attempt to brush some of the frustration away before he truly lost all control and ended up doing something he'd later regret.
You let your emotions hold your reigns and your asking to be driven over a cliff... He said to himself, but nonetheless he still felt that he was putting more effort than he usually did in holding himself back. With a quiet sigh he opened the door to the inn with a bit more strength than he had intended, closing his eyes slightly at the sound the door made.
"Has anyone seen Shalelu?" He asked, the question almost sounding like an order than an inquiry, especially with his furrowed brow, intense stare his hazel eyes were throwing on to the room and the straight line his lips froze into.
Merwyn's short legs scramble to keep her beside Veryl as he storms out. As they arrive at the inn, she calmly repeats his name a couple of times until he turns to look at her. "Veryl, forgive me if I sound out of place, but you are not acting like yourself. And we need you to act like yourself, because who else is going to be a responsible leader here?"
"From my years of experience and the many stories that I have heard, and I'm sure that Horatio can back this up, the heroes always eventually succeed. Have faith, I think you'll find that our adventure in the catacomb was not a waste of time." She smiles at him warmly.
"Hardly a leader, responsible? Maybe" Veryl took his time scanning the inn's interior before turning toward the blond gnome.
"Listen, I wouldn't say no to an ending from one of those songs and stories, I don't think anyone would say no to that, but as it stands we have a sheriff who's hindering us more than he's helping us" Teeth clenched as Veryl recalled the lawman's threat Check into my reason for being here...Bloody bastard, you and Inigo can rot for all I care His hand returned to his brow for the third time today "And an enemy who has an army at her beck and call and has what she needs for her ritual" His left hand clenched, while his face remained mostly with expression "Oh don't get me wrong I don't plan on giving up, I just don't think it will be easy" He said plainly before both of his hands went within his pockets.
"Your right about one thing though, I haven't been myself and I plan to remedy that as soon as we are done talking to Shalelu" Veryl returned to scanning the room once more, as he no longer tried to hide the frown on his face, he knew Merwyn was right, he knew that he should be in control of his emotions, but Nualia's actions, the sheriff's incompetence and their wasted time in the catacombs all were testing his patience and willpower...and at the moment he just hoped he would last until he could find sometime for himself, swing his sword till he could no longer lift his arm and let sleep take him till it was time to embark on their little quest.
"Oh, does that mean I'm the leader? I'd make a wonderful leader," Horatio pipes up from behind Merwyn, leaning in the doorway with crossed arms. "I didn't see Shalelu while I was in here earlier, but she could have just been avoiding me. That saucy minx." He chuckles as he makes his way into the room, sobering immediately as he remembers something. "As for the law, I've never much counted on them to be of much use -" his face twists into a slight scowl, as if at a horrible taste or memory "- but it's best not to anger them. As for the stories and songs... Well, in Korvosa, we tend to follow Cheliax to a degree. And the Chelish public prefers tales where a few people die." He stares blankly into space for a moment, his face unreadable.
"Shalelu was out scouting the goblins. We'll have to hope she returns soon or we will have to do without her advice."
She adds a few moments later, " Also I was trying to remember why I put the theft of Tobyn's remains out of my mind. Do I remember wrong or did Breaca give Tsuto's journal to the sheriff? If so he and the town should have learned of the theft the same time we did. I thought they would have looked into it. Idiots."
As you debate where Shalelu is, she promptly arrives at the Rusty Dragon and heads in your direction.
"I've caught up with the sheriff and Father Zantus. I figured you'd be here. I also figure you're planning to head to Thistletop, so I have some information you might find useful."
"First up, Bruthazmus the bugbear has joined forces with several humanoids and moved into Thistletop."
"Next, I've drawn you a map of where to find it. Simply put, you follow the Lost Coast Road east, then you can reach the Thistle River crossing relatively quickly — it’s a six mile journey."
"Thistletop is located on the coast — approaching by land is a little difficult because of Nettlewood but I've marked a route through the woods."
"Thistletop itself is a round island about 60 feet off shore, connected to the mainland by a rope bridge."
Finally! Someone who is guarding this town besides us and is actually competent...no, not competent, great at their job Veryl could hardly believe that they got what they needed without much of a hassle, he could have kissed the elven ranger then and there for not being as hard headed and incompetent as Sheriff Hemlock, but he doubted she'd appreciate the gesture. Nonetheless he felt the grip of anger and frustration slightly relax, allowing him to adopt a more calm expression albeit still one without a smile.
"
Just as he was about to walk away, Veryl recalled something important I did ask her about Mel, the last time we met...doubt she found anything, but it never hurt to ask Veryl refocused on Shalelu once more, the stress he had acquired through the day clear through the serious look in his eyes.
"I know that this is entirely selfish of me" He began, his right arm motioning towards himself "But I have been battling my selfish side for the better part of the day and I find that I can no longer defend myself against it" A small smile lopsided smile itched itself slowly on his face, but then it quickly disappeared leaving behind nothing but a straight line that equally mirrored the humorless look in his eyes.
"You remember I mentioned my elven friend to you before, I realize it is unlikely that you have news of her, but I find that I lose nothing by asking, especially with things as they I are I would be more content to know that she is safe...well at least from the goblins, she brings enough trouble on her self with her recklessness"
Shalelu shakes her head. "I have no news - but that is in part positive as I am not aware of any trouble she might have gotten herself into."
Kalig takes the map from Shalelu and looks it over. "Thank you. Do you know how many are in Thistletop, especially with the reinforcements? Do you know where we might look for the remains, or Nualia? And were you able see any docks or boats there? I doubt there is only one way on or off the island--at least, I doubt Nualia would set herself up to be hemmed in."
"Ah, a bugbear...the worst of both worlds. As freaky as a bug, but much harder to squish." Merwyn begins to ponder how to get into the fortress.
"Heh, I see your point, and I appreciate your help in this matter, consider me in your debt" Spoke the black haired man before turning to look to the map Kalig was holding That's another person I am indebted to, by the end of the week I'll probably have half the town waiting to collect from me Veryl smiled to himself as he looked at the map "If she did set herself up for such a situation I'll gladly make use of it" Veryl's smile turned into a wicked grin, while a sinister tone lined his words.
"Goblins are stupid enough to only have one passage to and from the island," Horatio points out to Kalig, "but you're right - from what we know of Nualia and her plans, there's bound to be more than one way. Looks like they've set up some sort of rough fortress at Thistletop... if there is only one way, we might have to just march in." He glances across at Shalelu, and saks, "I don't suppose you'd care to join us? I'm sure your expertise would be much appreciated. Though you seem like a busy woman, you're probably needed elsewhere." He looks back down at the map, brow furrowing in thought.
Kalig takes the map from Shalelu and looks it over. "Thank you. Do you know how many are in Thistletop, especially with the reinforcements? Do you know where we might look for the remains, or Nualia? And were you able see any docks or boats there? I doubt there is only one way on or off the island--at least, I doubt Nualia would set herself up to be hemmed in."
"I'd say you may come up against say twenty or thirty or so goblins in total in Thistletop - but not all at the same place. A handful of them might be challenging for you, the majority are your common or garden little annoyances. I think there are up to three humans there too."
"There's rumours that there's a dungeon below the main structure. If I know goblins, that's where they'll keep anything of value."
"The island doesn't have a shoreline like you're imagining. Each side of the land is a sheer cliff. Nobody comes in or out by boat."
He glances across at Shalelu, and saks, "I don't suppose you'd care to join us? I'm sure your expertise would be much appreciated. Though you seem like a busy woman, you're probably needed elsewhere." He looks back down at the map, brow furrowing in thought.
"I'm happy to go with you to the island and I can wait in the woods to ensure you have an escape route should you need to exit quickly. How does that sound?"
"Huh. Breaca grunts, listening as she peers over Horatio's shoulder at the map. "That leaves just this bridge. Getting across that without alarm being raised is going to be tricky. About how long is the bridge?"
He glances across at Shalelu, and saks, "I don't suppose you'd care to join us? I'm sure your expertise would be much appreciated. Though you seem like a busy woman, you're probably needed elsewhere." He looks back down at the map, brow furrowing in thought."I'm happy to go with you to the island and I can wait in the woods to ensure you have an escape route should you need to exit quickly. How does that sound?"
"That is fine with me" Answered the mercenary, as he looked up from the map to face Shalelu "We'd also love to have you dine with us tonight"
"It must be 40 to 50 feet from the mainland to the island. But since you took care of so many of their number recently, the watchtowers have been abandoned."
"That sounds wonderful," Horatio smiles at the elven woman. "If you see us run toward you screaming, I'd suggest shooting at whatever we're fleeing from." He leaves the map, instead pacing and scratching the fingertips of his left hand. "If there's a dungeon, we may need our own light source. I doubt we'd be able to scale the cliffs, so the bridge is our only option. Knowing the watchtowers are empty certainly streamlines things somewhat, though. Now, the question is whether it's secure enough for us to get across..." He glances back at Shalelu, still scratching absent-mindedly. "Do you know anything of the humans? Have you observed them coming or going? And if so, did any of them appear to be heavily armoured, or have the appearance of the pious or arcane practitioners?"
"One tall man in mail armour and a huge sword - probably some sort of fighter. One semi-naked woman - with a cat. If I stereotype I'd say she's some spell-caster. And another scantily-clad woman - but her left hand looks deformed - much larger than it should be. She carries a sword."
"The thing is, I couldn't walk up to them for a thorough examination, so you'll have to go on what I've told you."
She smiles good-naturedly at Horatio as she answers.
"It's a shame you couldn't approach them for a full interview, but those descriptions are more than enough for us to go on," the bard grins. "And it sounds like our Nualia is a warrior of some sort. Remember Tsuto's journal? I can't say her new hand is pleasing to me? The description of a woman with a deformed hand certainly fits." He glances down at his hands, just noticing the scratching, and folds his arms to stop himself. "Is there anything we - or I - could do to thank you for your assistance?" he asks of Shalelu, raisig his eyesbrows questioningly. For all his light-hearted manner, the sincerity in his tone is undeniable.
"Solve the goblin problem and get back in one piece. That's all the thanks I need."
"So our supposed conqueror fancies herself a warrior" Veryl's left hand rested on the pommel of his sword once more "We'll see if she can actually swing that sword" With that comment he moved towards a free table by the corner. It was farther away from the other customers they were not likely to be bothered, the wood showed its age with a number of nicks and a couple of knife wounds, but when Veryl gave it a slight shake it seemed to be steady.
"I would pull your chairs for you ladies, but I forget my manners when I am hungry" He gave the group a smile "Bethana, we are going to need some dinner" Called out Veryl before sitting down to the side of the table and propping his weapons against the wall closest to him.
Kalig smiled at Shalelu's to-the-point-ness and down-to-earth nature. "We will do as you ask, then. I am glad you are coming with us for the first leg."
If everyone was finished looking at it, Kalig rolls up the map and tucks it into a long, scroll-length pocket on the inside of her robe.
"If that's all, we should get to that dinner Veryl was talking about. And we should rest well for the trip. It will only take us a couple hours to get there, but we may have to slow down depending on the terrain in the woods or if we need to pass quietly. And that will only be the start of things."
--------
"I would pull your chairs for you ladies, but I forget my manners when I am hungry"
Kalig looks at Veryl, utterly puzzled (to be clear, not annoyed). "I can summon flame and crush skulls with my mace. Why would I need assistance with a chair? And if it is make sure there is enough space for us, why not do it for Horatio and Miro as well?" Still looking at Veryl as if he is mad to suggest such a thing, she seats herself.
Surprise struck Veryl, his right eyebrow rising just a small measure from where the left was Well its obvious none of us needs help with our chairs, I was...oh wait When his memory of discussing their past lives delivered to him the answer the swordsman felt a bit guilty for suspecting the motives of his companion.
A pure composed look returned to Veryl's face as he walked from the chair he was about to sit in and stopped at the one next to it "Its not that you or anyone would have trouble with pulling your own chairs, you see when I was employed as a guard for a noblemen, formal etiquette of these circles was taught...or beaten into me" He said that last sentence with a shrug of his left hand and a small smile.
"But I digress, the act of pulling a chair for a lady is to show respect for her, and that the person doing it possess excellent or in my case passable manners, its never done with the thought that a lady NEEDS someone to pull a chair for her, just with the thought of being helpful and polite to said lady" At this point Veryl laughed, but not one of his mocking or sarcastic chortles, this laugh appeared to be quite genuine, it was like he found something truly amusing.
"I am sorry, its just that I remembered asking the same question to the man who taught me how to act when among the nobility, his answers was more or less what I just told you" The laughter ceased, Veryl's face was once more showing the mask of calmness it had usually wore. Soon enough the silence was replaced by the sound of wooden legs being pulled across a floor made of similar material.
"Milady" Veryl looked in Kalig's direction, his hands still on the chair he had pulled from the table.
"Is there a reason that we actually need to enter the fortress? Couldn't we just...burn the whole place down?" She thinks to herself. "One bridge...one way for the flames to go."
"Consider it done, m'lady," Horatio winks to Shalelu. "I'm sure this will be no problem for heroes such as ourselves." Seeing Kalig seat herself, he instead takes the seat Veryl seems to be holding out with no intention of using, resting his left ankle on his right knee and pulling his violin into his lap. "It's strange," he mutters, tuning the instrument - he'd heard a few off-notes during the fight with the demon, and wanted to be absolutely certain it wasn't simple human error. "Rosaline's never stopped singing like that before. It felt like part of myself being drained away..." He trails off, face momentarily darkening as he continues his work.
He looks up again when Merwyn suggests burning Thistletop to the ground, raising an incredulous eyebrow at her. "I don't know about you, but I'd certainly like a chance to lay eyes on this Nualia rather than burn her to a crisp without seeing her, particularly if she's as beautiful as Tsuto says she is. Besides, if she is turning into some manner of fiend, she's likely to not be bothered by a bit of fire."
A slight look of annoyance possesed Veryl's facade as Horatio seated himself in the chair he pulled out, and for the longest moment it appeared that this was the end of it, but then a light but still stinging slap planted itself on the back of the bard's neck.
"Anything else sir?" Asked Veryl in a mocking manner before finding a seat for himself.
To Veryl: "Your guards must be easily overtaken by raiders and thieves, if they must waste time pulling chairs for any female that passes." Kalig observes matter-of-factly, and sits on the chair at her other side. She expects Veryl to sit in the seat he pulled out for himself, but silently chuckles when Horatio grabs the seat instead. She looks up at Veryl, giving him a tusky grin. "I am not sure you have noticed, Veryl, but I am no lady."
She nods at Merwyn. "You've a fair point, in honesty. The fire would be unlikely to spread to shore, and it was save us a lot of hassle. The only problem is that then we'd have no easy way to take prisoners. Although I guess that would not be necessary. Although as Horatio says, likely Nualia and others would have a chance of coming out unscathed. Also, I would guess the fortress is mostly stone, so some would be able to find a place safe from burning. If they could avoid choking to death they'd probably survive."
She raises an eyebrow at Horatio, and adds, again, simply matter-of-factly in tone: "Probably better you DON'T lay your eyes on her. With your weak will and randiness, doubtless she'd take your mind as she did Tsuto's, and then we'd have to capture or put you down too."
"And that, Kalig, is why gentlemen don't pull chairs for each other," Horatio sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I suppose with that tone, a mug of ale and a buxom wench are both out of the question."
Glancing back across at the half-orc, he adds, "And you underestimate me, it seems. I happen to have a very strong sense of willpower - my mind is not easily overtaken. I hear it comes with innate magical ability, though my own force of will seems to be mose effective when it comes to musical and auditory effects. You seem strong-headed yourself, I'm sure you understand." He finishes tuning his violin and flips it over in his hands, briefly running his fingers across the monogrammed initials on the base of the neck.
"In the eyes of nobility, no, no you are not" Said Veryl to Kalig, his manner of speaking much smoother than before "But I have had to give many men and women titles and courtesies that they didn't deserve, as far as I am concerned if I was not being paid I doubted I would have given them the time of day" Veryl took a semi deep breath before looking in the half-orc's direction, fixing her with a studious gaze.
And here I am in the company of a woman who is willing to risk her life while expecting nothing in return...I'd say calling you 'lady' from time to time doesn't seem inappropriate, but if it annoys you I'll stop" Veryl gave her a shrug, before he placed his right hand on the table and allowed his fingers to rhythmically dance on its surface "As for guards of the nobility, believe it or not the only lessons they were given was how to not embarrass their employer, which usually meant how to not look like a fool and how to only speak when spoken to...I on the other hand had a much more extensive education, I was something of a...special case" The swordsman's fingers halted their movement, his eyes tilting downwards; appearing to not focus on anything particular Ah special case, that's a nice way of saying naive fool Silence came over Veryl, his mind racing back to less pleasant times, the smug face of his teacher emerged to mock him.
"You believe yourself worthy of being my student? Ah my poor deluded boy, your only advantage over any of the common rabble in the streets were that you looked like the young master of the household, and even that was not enough to serve you in the purpose I had intended for you, your job was to get killed instead of him? You could not even manage that? You are just a failure in every way imaginable aren't you?" As his companions continued their conversations, Veryl sat frozen in place. It almost felt like he wasn't in Sandpoint anymore, that he was back in his room as Inigo, let the harsh truth fall on him like an avalanche. The only sign that he was still among the living was his slow breathing.
@Horatio:
Veryl Shook his head, and stared at the bard, at first his eyes seemed intense but then, as if he had just awoken from a dream they morphed to a more neutral look "I am sorry did you say something?"
And you underestimate me, it seems. I happen to have a very strong sense of willpower - my mind is not easily overtaken. I hear it comes with innate magical ability, though my own force of will seems to be mose effective when it comes to musical and auditory effects. You seem strong-headed yourself, I'm sure you understand."
Kalig chuckles at the bard. "I am sure you can resist magic, Horatio, but I have yet seen you able to resist a pretty woman's natural charms. I hope you will prove me wrong."
"And here I am in the company of a woman who is willing to risk her life while expecting nothing in return...I'd say calling you 'lady' from time to time doesn't seem inappropriate, but if it annoys you I'll stop"
"Why does everyone always think I am annoyed? That, I find annoying. Must be the teeth. No, I just think it is funny, Veryl. You can call me what you like. Although I am worried you think I am more..." she pauses, searching for a word. ...heroic. Than I am. I risk my life if it serves my purpose. I would also flee and leave others behind if it serves my purpose. And serving my purpose provides payment in that the powers that nature has granted me to serve it grow. Now here, we've all agreed to do this thing together. I would only hurt myself if I were to leave one of you to die. At least, as long as you didn't..." Kalig trails off, realizing Veryl has stopped listening to her.
He did not appear to be ill, however, so she shrugs and orders her meal. She also catches Bethana or one of her servants when she has a moment.
"Due to reasons not worth going into, I find myself with an abundance of flour--about 4 pounds. Would you be able to use it?"
Only catching the very beginning of her reply and the shrug that it ended with, made Veryl turn towards Kalig and come to the obvious conclusion that he may have missed a lot more than just what Horatio mentioned "Sorry I seem to be quite the terrible listener today" He apologized "Well, I don't think your always annoyed, I just believe that you are too hard on yourself and that you would soldier any burden on your own, even when there are others you could share it with" Veryl placed his second hand on the table and crossed his fingers together.
"Now say that all of us have decided to abandon this mission, except you, I am sure you would find others to help you, because I don't believe you'd be foolish enough to charge into Nualia's fortress alone, but I am sure that asking others to help you is something that you'd loathe...I don't think its pride, I think its just that you prefer doing things on your own" Explained the swordsman "And I could be wrong, if all the things I went through during my life have taught me anything it's that I am not very good at judging people...yet" The last word he spoke with a conviction and a sternness that clearly conflicted with the semi aloof way of speaking he had adopted previously.
"I would say that would fit our purposes quite nicely, if the goblin rabble were burned to death and Nualia survived unscathed and ready to be taken prisoner. Unless anyone would like to deal with the goblins themselves?" She pauses. "I have to say that I have a complicated relationship with fire, but...I know its power and this is exactly the mission that it was designed for."
"But if we burn the bridge, how do we get to the island to take anyone prisoner?"
That, and what's to keep the goblins from simply taking refuge in the tunnels until it burns out? Now, burning the bridge may leave the goblins stranded on the island, which might be good, but Nualia? She would not be so easily stopped, surely. Besides, we need to know if she was successful with her ritual - and what such a success might mean for this town.
"Oh, natural charm!" Horatio exclaims at Kalig's clarification, in his usual melodramatic way. "Well then, yes, I suppose I do have a weakness for the charms of ladies... Or particularly exceptional gentleman," he adds with a casual shrug. "However, I find that danger tends to put somewhat of a damper on any 'randiness' you speak of, so fret not." He draws his bow and idly runs it over his violin strings, satisfied that the instrument is in tune.
Seeing Veryl seemingly snap back to reality, he fixes him with an odd expression. "I don't know about that. You seem to have judged me an awful lot."
To Merwyn, he adds, "I agree with the ladies on this. The fortress isn't likely to burn, and while goblins are evil little bastards, the people in there might deserve a second chance. They could have just fallen for Nualia's wiles, much like Tsuto did."